How do you see orca and keep them safe? Orca Network to host free boating webinars

The Orca Network will host a series of webinars on how to safely boat and share water space with whales on Wednesday night, Sept. 2, according to the organization.

The webinars are in response to the increased number of boat purchases in the area in the last few months following the coronavirus pandemic, with more activity observed in the waterways around Puget Sound, according to a release on the webinars.

“With the news that J pod has returned to San Juan Island after another month’s long absence, and knowing there are pregnant females in all three Southern Resident orca pods, we feel it is imperative to educate boaters now, before the Southern Residents begin their late fall/early winter forays into the inland urban waters of Puget Sound,” Susan Berta said in an email to The Bellingham Herald.

Orca Network said in the release that the goal of the presentations is to educate boaters of their potential implications of their actions before the Labor Day holiday weekend, echoing the mission of the Share the Water – Whale Safe Vessel Project launched back in July.

Lynne Barre of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Protected Resources Division will be the first speaker in the event, which is free and open to the public through Zoom.

“We encourage all people who spend time on the water to join us, whether you are on a sailboat, kayak, power boat or paddle board,” the release said. “Any type of vessel can harass and harm whales and other marine mammals when not following the regulations and guidelines.”

More information on the Orca Network and the seminar can be found on its website.

These series of presentations follow the Penn Cove Anniversary Commemoration in early August, when organizers reaffirmed their pledge to bring home Tokitae, an orca held in captivity for the last 50 years.

This story was originally published September 2, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "How do you see orca and keep them safe? Orca Network to host free boating webinars."